MNA � An agriculture official said Iran exported about 350 million dollars of damask rose, saffron, thyme and various types of herbal medicine were exported from Iran annually.


Peyman Yousefi Azar, Director of Medicinal Herbs Department of Iran's Ministry of Agriculture, said promotion of consumption of herbal medicine, development of cultivation and modernization of technology and processing are among most significant policies pursued by the Iranian ministry.

�Low need for water resources remains as a major advantage of cultivating medicinal plants,� he underlined adding �in view of ongoing water crisis inside the country, Ministry of Agriculture is planning to promote growth rate of herbal medicines.�

He voiced readiness of the National Center for Medicinal Plants to provide farmers with necessary information on changing crop types.

Yousefi Azar went on to state that Alborz province enjoyed several advantages like presence of prominent scientific and research centers like the Research Center for Medicinal Herbs where farmers can seek advice and information. �Moreover, proximity to the capital and having a cargo airport for export of herbal medicines are among other positive aspects of the Iranian province,� underlined the official asserting that research potentials of the region can develop in case an export terminal is established.

He said medicinal plants were an emerging economy in the world with a growth rate of 9 percent, and in view of their fast pace, they will turn into one of the most important sectors in agriculture in the near future.

Iran�s first policy is to increase exports and enter the global markets, and the most important strategy is introduction of Iranian herbs into the world by creating branding and bolstering exports, Yousefi Azar continued.

He said flourishment of exports in the sector could definitely boost production and business.

�Ministry of Agriculture is planning to carry out standard production in accordance with international standards and enhance technology in the field of cultivating medicinal plants,� highlighted the official noting that Iran was also after introducing damask rose and saffron to global markets.

He expressed hope that improvements in the field would lead to major leaps in employment and effective presence in export markets, which in turn, will yield substantial revenues for the country.